Investigating the role of bromodomain protein (Brd)9 in vascular calcification
Blood vessels must be able to stretch and contract to maintain blood pressure. However, in some people, especially the elderly and people with kidney failure, the blood vessels can become filled with calcium deposits that make them rigid like bone – they become calcified. Although we know that the smooth muscle cells that line blood vessels undergo changes before they cause calcification, it is not known exactly how these changes lead to the deposit of calcium. The team at King’s College London has found that a molecule called Bromodomain 9 (Brd9) controls calcification and could be a useful target for drugs to prevent calcification. This project will confirm whether Brd9 levels are increased in calcified human blood vessels. They will also search for genes controlled by Brd9 and work out how Brd9 regulates them. Finally, they will see if drugs that block Brd9 can prevent calcification in rats. This study will be the first to test whether Brd9-blocking drugs can prevent calcification in a real physiological setting. Since no effective treatments are available to treat the calcification of blood vessels, this project could lead to much-needed new drugs for many people with circulatory diseases.
Project details
| Grant amount | £313,720 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 01 January 1900 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/19/34/34388 |
| Status | In Progress |
